In what has to be viewed as a positive sign for Gracedale workers, Ron Angle has removed Gracedale from next Thursday's Council agenda. He did so after meeting with AFSCME and County administrators yesterday afternoon.
Council member Lamont McClure also participated in the discussions.
Unwilling to discuss details, Angle said he is "encouraged" and believes they are going in the right direction. Angle had been ready to discuss the sale or lease of Gracedale at next week's Council meeting, but will instead continue these negotiations next week.
Ironically, as I was talking to him, he was called by a mid-state businessman interested in purchasing the County nursing home. County Executive John Stoffa has publicly stated he is called at least once every week.
Updated Tuesday Night: Gracedale may technically be back on the agenda, but Council Prez Ron Angle assures me he will take no action until exhausting all possibilities with union negotiators.
57 comments:
"Ironically, as I was talking to him, he was called by a mid-state businessman interested in purchasing the County nursing home."
Why would Angle be a point of contact for a sale? As Council Prez he should not be in discussions with anyone about this.
This clearly is unethical, as he could very well have the deciding vote on the fate of Gracedale.
Not saying it would happen, but hearing numbers, etc could sway the vote one way or the other.
If nothing more that fact has certainly raised my interest in his actual involvement.
I will begin to look into weather or not this is a conflict of interest on either side.
I think Morganelli needs to investigate this Angle terrorist. He is on the phone with this Bernie person and just happens to field another call regarding the sale. I agree with very interesting. I'm calling the State Police White Collar Crime Unit tomorrow and see where that goes. Me thinks something is rotten in Northamptonshire and Nazareth Boro for that matter.
This is all a game by Angle/Stoffa. they are lulling the employees into false hope. Remember people these guys have one objective, dumping Gracedale with you and the residents.
Stick with the facts. Stoffa has blowed a massive surplus and is bullshitting on the need for a 20% tax increase.
The pension issue is a red herring since Gracedale has always big the biggest contributor to the fund with the most employees.
Remember as the economy swings back the large $$ from Gracedale contributions help other employees.
Do not let this version of "vodoo economics", blind you to the reality of the Angle/Stoffa agenda.
Family and friends of Gracedale residents please contact your County council members to register your disgust with this nonsense and your support of Gracedale.
i still don't know how stoffa/angle could talk about selling/leasing gracedale without having first done an RFP to get real numbers. all they have is speculation on a plan. nobody has actually submitted anything of substance and these two are jumping at the chance to unload. that tells me they have information that is not public. so much for their virtuous claims of transparency.
Do the process right. Angle should tell anybody interested in buying that they should submit their proposes after they establish an rfp. as it is right now, he is using it as a loaded gun in a very misleading way.
Maybe I missed it, has there been a price tag put on Gracedale and for how much?
According to the study, it wouldbe sold bypublic bidfor $31 MM,
To those expressing horror that Angle would answer his phone, that's all he did. He is not a "point of contact." The home would be sold very publicly and to the highest bidder.
McClure/AFSME 1
Stoffa/Angle 0
I don't know how you can spin this other than a huge victory for the unions. Some bulldog. He walked away with his tail between his legs.
"To those expressing horror that Angle would answer his phone, that's all he did. He is not a "point of contact." The home would be sold very publicly and to the highest bidder."
This person had his number in order to contact him about purchasing Gracedale. That my friends is a point of contact!!!!
to VERY INTERESTING.....that is a valid point that the person interested in Buying Gracedale...had Angle's number
Should it just be the Gracedale Union that makes concessions?? What about all the Unions in the County and Career Services?? When Gracedale reaped in the harvest all county annexes benefitted and it isn't just because of Gracedale that the County is in this mess. Let's make public the Salaries, Bonuses and Benefits of EVERY COUNTY WORKER on the PAYROLL....and let the public see where the Bloatedness is. For those that call us UNION PIGS....it is a shame that you don't think hardworking American citizens deserve a fair/decent wage. Working at Gracedale is much more than a place of employment for most of us...it is our second home and family which consists of Residents, their Families and our fellow Co-workers who have compassion for all of the above...Gracedale is one part of the County and in my opinion the best part because we give our elderly and disabled citizens medical care, pastoral care, social care, activities, nutrition, end of life care security and compassion, friendship and....WE GIVE THEM a HOME. The County Home isn't a luxury it is a necessity for many in our community past, present and future. The County should continue in this example and set a standard above others...a society is judged on how well it treats it's children and elderly....and if the decision to sell is to be made it is the taxpayers of this county who should make it..not a handful of people who have self serving interest in mind. I for one would like to know what the county intends to do with the profit if Gracedale is sold and I think the public has a right to know....
"to VERY INTERESTING.....that is a valid point that the person interested in Buying Gracedale...had Angle's number"
Valid, yes. To me it is somewhat telling, and downright scary.
I have a feeling Bernie didn't think about it before he put that fact out there.
I am not saying that Angle would do anything unethical (his history aside) but why put yourself in that situation. I too would like to call for an investigation into why he would be taking calls on the sale.
Bernie will say he just answered his phone, I will say how would someone looking to buy Gracedale happen to have his number. And Angle should have ended that call immediately and directed them to the proper people.
I think if nothing else the negotiations between the union and Angle/Stoffa proved that the employees care about the residents. The Express-Times is reporting that round 1 of negotiations and concessions from the union saved $3M. Stoffa said it takes at least $6M to save Gracedale. Take that $3M difference and cut operating and management costs. It's not fair for the entire $6M to come from the employees. I'm sure Gracedale isn't operating at 100% efficiency, or anywhere even close to it. The other $3M needs to come from somewhere other than the employees.
And as far as Anon 4:28 is concerned, you are absolutely correct. I would gladly show my paycheck so the public and other taxpayers such as myself can see how paltry it is. We make concessions as public employees for our lower wages, such as lower health insurance costs and of course the pensions. But you can't get blood from a stone.
It's mismanagement at its best. If the County can't figure out a way to save $3M at Gracedale, then perhaps it's time for a changing of the guard in management.
Political double talk. He lead the charge and now backpedaling? Sounds like a "Ron-Zombie" is going to lead the charge so RonnieBoy has clean hands for his next re-election. So which of his puppets will put it back on the addenda?
Update Angles number is unlisted
that deserves a
hmmmm???
Another update I have an appointment with a investigator with the PA STATE POLICE WHITE COLLAR CRIMES UNIT Monday at 10 AM
Thanks for allowing me to post in here I'll update Monday night
Anon 9:39 = Anon 12:23 = "Very Interesting" = the 3 AM Troll.
Do us all a favor and make your complaints wherever you want - PSP, FBI, CIA or even the Mossad. You'll have to identify yourself then.
No problem AFTER I chat with them
And How does one get the terrorist Angles phone number. I want to bid on Gracedale too. LOL
BTW
Here is my name....for now
You know I refer to him as a terrorist because he is in the true definition terrorizing the residents and employees of Gracedale, not to mention MOST of the residents of Northampton County. If he would be "fair and balanced" < LOL he would have had a the fate of Gracedale included for the voters to decide in November.
3 AM Troll, Knock yourself out. Tell the PSP they need to investigate the NC Council Prez for speaking to one of numerous people interested in buying Gracedale. I guess they should also investigate him for speaking to unions trying to persuade the County not to sell Gracedale.
What really gets to me is not the fact that you're a troll who hates Stoffa and Angle. What does it is your stupidity. You say the most moronic things and think they're clever. What you really end up doing is making Stoffa andAngle look that much better.
Let the people who work at Gracedale speak here. You're only hurting them with your nonsense. Tell it to the PSP.
Next I'd like to share a flyer that was handed out to the employees today at Gracedale. I don't work there however I know people who do.
The flyer titled
HELPING HANDS
is a United Way news letter
It seems Stoffa has authorized the employees of Gracedale to take a PAID day off if they volunteer at various locations throughout the Valley.
PAID?
Gracedale has a deficit and this bonehead is offering to pay them to work elsewhere?
Charity begins at home!
The County Nursing home!
FYI
The United way is one of the most "TOP HEAVY" charities in the country with mere pennies on the dollar finding their way to the charitable orgaizations they fund.
Reminds me alot of the council, how about you?
My contacts who provided me with this flyer said most of the employees are outraged that monies can be wasted in this manner given the circumstance.
Additional information has been forwarded to me regarding a resident that is mobile and had voiced her intent to start a petition and approach vaious local organizations in an effort to spread the word about the Gracedale stituation. She was "visited" in the afternoon by someone who will not be identified at this time. And disueded from doing this.
All I can say is this person who I have the identification and the person who witnessed this conversation will be brought up in my chat with the WCCU .
Along with concerns about the obvious higjacking of our government by the terrorist AKA Angle.
3 AM Troll, The United Way must be one of the many organizations that refused to hire you after Stoffa stopped your unemployment.
So now you expect me to allow my freedom of speech be supressed?
I read very carefully the well crafted invitation you expressed to post here. All are welcome, except those who disagree with you?
Look I have had and will have a interest in Gracedale as many of my family and friends either work there or reside there. Literally working there one day, retiring and hoping in one of the beds the next because they can't afford to go to private care. This due to being "overpaid" all that time during their careers at Gracedale.
What about the unlisted number?
oops!
On a lighter note one of my favorite books is:
THE SIRENS OF TITAN
Bernie, I would appreciate if you wouldn't lump me in with the alleged "3am Troll" I merely made some points about your article.
If you don't like what I have to say so be it, but don't lump me in with the rest. You yourself have to admit that Angle should not be involved with talks about the sale of Gracedale in any way.
If you feel better by claiming I am someone that I am not...knock yourself out.
You've already violated comment policy with an anonymous personal attack calling Angle a terrorist. I allowed it to stay only bc it shows people what a moron you are. And O doubt seriously that you've ever read a word written by Vonnegut, or any decent author for that matter.
You are the 3 AM troll. You went bonkers after Stoffacut you off, assume all kinds of different phony names bc you are too much of a coward to publicly admit who you are, you do not work for the County, but you hurt the people who do work for the County with your venom.
Bernie the person who appears to be a moron is you and by association Angle and Stoffa. When people make a very interesting and cleaver point you call them the "3AM Troll".
It doesn't matter when they blog, anytime day or night it is all the same person. You really sound pretty desperate with that refrain.
So I take it all the posts attacking Callahan are the anti-Bethlehem Troll, or attacking Pawlowski the anti-Allentown Troll. Really Bernie you make some wonder if you are back on the sauce.
Lester Maddox
I became interested in Vonnegut after Jerry Garcia bought the film rights to "Sirens". Of course I saw the movie Slaughter House 5 and appreciated it at the time. Then read the book. I think the word moron is overused I prefer wacko. I actually like Melville, Dickens, and my absolute favorite is Sir Arther Ignatius Conan Doyle. Hands down. Other Favorites Orwell hence Winston Smith, Huxley, Brave New World, Kerouac, On The Road, I always liked for a short story Metamorphosis by Kafka for light reading of course. Enough about me I would like to let you know I met you recently in Easton after the primaries ...hint hint. I can't say where as it would probably reveal my identity to you.
Oh, and please I'm not these others in here arguing with you
I'm new ...and exciting LOL
Mr Bernie
I don't want to beat a dead horse however, I'm here working and thinking about your comments. The one that I'm making it bad for the workers of Gracedale by my comments and actions. The way you worded it, to me seemed like a veiled threat. Proposing that my actions/comments would have a affect on the option Mr. Angle chooses. Quite disturbing. I really wish you wouldn't have said that. Makes you out to be a hooligan. As far as the terrorist comment. If you open a dictionary and look up the word. It fits what I have seen happening to the workers I know at Gracedale. They are terrorized by the fact they may lose their jobs. The one resident I spoke to is terrorized by the situation. This is why I chose that word.
Now I leave you with another author I liked and then disliked because of his plagerism Jerzy Kosinski he wrote Being There. I enjoyed that book in the 70's then I heard it was a.. I think Polish book from the 30's. tsk. tsk. He should have given credit because I did enjoy that book. One other is Cruel Shoes Steve Martin, yes the comedian, read it in an hour ....check out "The Smokers"... hilarious.
I will not be posting again until Monday as I am too busy this weekend. So be sure to attribute anyone who disagrees with you to me. Have a wonderful weekend.
Queequeg
FYI...the County has been allowing people to volunteer at one of the many fine non-profit orgs for years...not just Stoffa...with the same stipulations, moron.
Yes the county has participated in the United Way Day of Caring for many years under different administrations. But given the hiring freeze and staffing shortages they should have suspended participation this year. One of the volunteer assignments in the flyer is at Cedarbrook- Lehigh County's nursing home! Boy is that ironic. The UWGLV is a bloated organization that skims money off the top of donations then makes agencies jump through all kinds of bureucratic hoops to get a grant from them. Just donate directly to the non-profit agency and cut out the middle man. And if people really cared about these organizations they would volunteer their time after work and on weekends, not as paid employees.
So betting, gracedale will be on the agenda by another councilman, and no one will pay any attention to the man behind the curtain. The great OZ!
So our hard working nurses were blackmailed into working for less?
Angle/Stoffa presents their feature presentation, "The Big Con".
Anon 2:15
You said "Stick with the facts. Stoffa has blowed a massive surplus and is bullshitting on the need for a 20% tax increase."
Realy! Give us the details about the "blown massive surplus"! Bet you can't, because it is not true. As usual, you are lying. Prove me wrong. Give us the facts! Or admit you are a liar! Since you are a coward, you won't do either. You have no shame!
I read today where the proposed work release treatment center in West Easton will have 100 beds for work release inmates. The developer was confident that Stoffa would cave in and use the facility at a cost of $30 per day per resident. Is this in addition to the State contribution and the inmate daily fee. That is potentially well over $1M dollars a year the County will outsource to house work release inmates.
I presume that Gracedale has open beds. Why don’t Stoffa and Angle dedicate a section of the facility for work release inmates and invest the $1M into a County owned Gracedale. They already have to heat the facility, keep the lights on, and have the support staff in place. They could augment the Gracedale revenue streams that $1M plus any contribution paid by the State and Inmate. Heck, they could also impose the provision like West Easton that would require every resident assigned to the treatment center to pay a residency fee of $150 before being admitted. That could generate $150K in revenue.
"A Day Late and a Dollar Short"
A novel: by Winston Smith
It was a dark and dreary day. I was feeling morose as I took my number at the meat counter. A panoramic view provided me with angst when I realized it was three deep in the oversized fast food rearends of others who beat my to the punch. Looking down at my ticket I new I was screwed. My number .....infinity!!!
It seems that I was too late to the dance, the band had begun playing, all the pretty girls were no longer in a row, the investigation is already underway.
The End
In response to the outraged Anon poster who also refers to me as moron. YES other administrations allowed this paid time off to do charity work. NO those administrations weren't threatening to sell Gracedale due to budget shortfalls when they permitted it.
Mr. Bernie
Moron here, you remember the one that doesn't read.
Can you tell me who is lying? McClure or those other 2 fine individuals. I had someone READ the paper to me over the weekend and found the facts and figures McClure cited very interesting. This thing is taking a new twist, prehaps they just want the employees to give, give, give, while they sit on the stockpile of money they took, took, took? You know the money they are saving to get the Million Dollar Highway paved once a year. Maybe this year with gold bricks.
Why doesn't everyone who is on the County payroll take pay cut in 2011 and a pay freeze there after and give up a few holidays etc...until things straighten out. Why is only one part of the County being hit. When Gracedale made the profits were they set aside for Gracedale alone??? We are hard working people who care for our Residents and our Co-workers and actually we feel our "Gracedale Family" is being threatened...either make concessions or your gone..We are a reasonable group of people and yet because of that we feel we are being taken advantage of. Being reasonable is one thing....being taken advantage of is something else. I think our County Leaders should step up and make some concessions and set the example for the rest of us...however it seems as if us little guys have to step up and set the example for those who basically are holding our fate in their hands. I commend all those co-workers who gathered at the Pavillion at Gracedale to discuss what we as a unit could do to help save our Home...and I thank all those outside of our entity who cared enough to come and show their concern.
Anon 9:52 I admire your sincerity. It is obvious that you have great pride working at Gracedale and in providing good care to the residents there. But McClure used half-truths in his op-ed and ignored the bitter truth. County nursing homes are a relic. It is not a core service of county government. The costs of running the third largest nursing home in the state during declining economic times is suffocating. It will only get worse. There must be a massive overhaul of the way Gracedale operates for it to survive. Only the private sector has the experience and willpower to accomplish this. Nursing homes are NOT the "third rail" of county politics. There are many other options for our seniors including assisted living in their own homes. Gracedale can be profitable and competitive with other skilled nursing homes in the area if given a chance to operate as a business. Otherwise the taxpayers of the county will have to subsidize it with tax increases every few years until they finally shout "enough is enough!"
I guess Community and Economic Development are "core functions" of County government. How about parks and how about a Health Department? Oh and how about assistant Directors like Tom Harp and others like him who are Stoffa cronies?
What about the million dollars extra being pumped into Human Services not mandated?
How about all of that or is that sacred?
$51 million of taxpayers dollars sitting in Angle/Stoffa's treasury and they are killing Gracedale but supporting the Jeff Parks Plaza, nice.
if angle wants to rewrite the tiff to support artsquest, why not pull out his pen and rewrite it to support gracedale?
Anyone realize what has happened
synopsis
1. Angle/Stoffa took the initial heat for proposing to sell
2. Stoffa/Angle said they needed 10 million in consessions to keep it
3. The union hashed out a quick 3 million and are working on more
4. "OTHER" council members have proposed a resolution for THIS THURSDAYS MEETING to decide the fate of Gracedale
5. The "OTHERS" just happen to be on the Angle/Stoffa bandwagon of sell it
6. The heat is off Angle/Stoffa the union made consessions making it a better prospect for buyers because they see the employees will sell their first born to keep their jobs.
7. SUPRISE SUPRISE ANGLE/STOFFA CHICAGO STYLE BACK ROOM POLITICS!!!
To all the Gracedale employees
YOU'VE BEEN HAD!!!
Just remember when these fine politicians ask for your vote in the future!!!
PONTIUS PILATE DOES NOT DESERVE YOUR VOTE BECAUSE HE WASHED HIS HANDS IN FRONT OF YOU
Cuckoo.
wait angle negotated a lower wage for union members to get a better profit selling gracedale? Wow, that's crazy
bernie there is a county council meeting on thursday at 5pm and gracedale is on the agenda. it was updated today we were told by union so show up .
Thanks for your note. I'll check the agenda and see if it is online. But better safe than sorry.
Not to get a higher price. To make the potential buyers realize how low the current employees will go to keep their jobs. That way when they consider buying it they can work the numbers with lower operating costs. And you can call me cookoo all you'd like this was orchestrated. Like you have said "sadly" it will be sold. Yeah right, you knew, your right up the kings dupa. Your very transparent O'hare. Hope you know how to bake, when you visit your pal in jail you can put a file in the cake for him.
Hey Bernie,
Why not just report the decission tonight? You know it already.
"Ironically" while I was on the phone with Ronnie he told what they decided.
Cuckoo.
You know this cookoo guy could have a point, strange things happen all the time in politics, I don't think Northampton County is immune. I also have a question why didn't you answer him about the article in the paper this weekend, other than him being cookoo? I read that and I too would like to know who is telling the truth.
Chuck H in Wind Gap
If you notice in here there are many unanswered questions. There are accusations of mental issues when points are made, there are assumptions that question my literacy. He has problems with anyone who doesn't share his POV. Although, it is his domain he can do as he pleases. Just don't expect too much.
Winston Smith = Chuck H = 3 AM troll = cuckoo.
You know you tried to lump me in with your other adversaries last week. I swear I'm not the 3AM troll or Chuck H in Wind Gap. Face the fact you have more than one person who doesn't appreciate your position on Gracedale or your relationship and hero worship of Angle. Can I or WE get a response to the McClure comments? And your apology is accepted I do love to read. Sort of suprised you with the Garcia tidbit? Now I can't post anymore tonight I'm actually at work and I have to, well, work. I don't think you know who I really am? We have talked you know. One final thing I have an odd way of debating please don't take TOO MUCH offense. Maybe see you Thursday.
Smells like 5 ron-puppets will vote sale without the master getting his hands dirty.
Old good cop bad cop routine to the unions?
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